Kenansville Fisherman Hauls In $3,000 During Tournament

KISSIMMEE — Quite a few anglers are walking around with lunker-size grins this week, which is an obvious indication that the fish are biting.

One guy who has an especially big grin is Carl Wagner of Kenansville. Wagner was awarded $3,000 for his 25th-place finish in the B.A.S.S. Tournament held recently in Palatka.

Finishing in 25th place might not seem like a big deal, but it is when you consider that there were 250 of the best fishermen in the country competing in the contest.

Just for the record, Wagner hauled in 18 bass with a total weight of 33 pounds, 2 ounces. The top finisher was Hank Parker, Denver, N.C., with 26 bass that had a total weight of 68 pounds, 9 ounces.

For those of you who think fishing is small time, Parker's catch netted him $105,000, the biggest purse in B.A.S.S. fishing history. The North Carolina angler was using a big-bladed No. 6 willow-leaf spinnerbait, a lure he says that is best in aquatic vegetation.

Robby Robinson of the Big Toho Marina reports that Elaine Johnson, Prior Lake, Minn., muscled in an 8-pound, 10-ounce largemouth out of Lake Kissimmee this week. What made the catch especially exciting was the fact that it was the first fish that Johnson had ever caught.

Another Minnesota angler who had a good week was Marvin Biskupski from Hastings. Biskupski thought he was pulling a bucket through the water when he reeled a 10-pound, 2-ounce lunker out of Lake Tohopekaliga.

Gregg Taylor, Kissimmee, hauled in four bass while using a spinner bait. His two largest tipped the scales at 6 pounds. Good ol' O.T. Nelson continues to slay the bluegill, which is no surprise because the last time he missed his limit, Vine Street was still a dirt road.

Meanwhile, over at Red's Fish Camp Bobbie Kolner reports that the bass are going after shiners in a big way. Jeffrey and Jody Collins, two Virginia brothers, would have to agree as they were using shiners when they pulled in nine keepers.

The biggest, a 10-pounder, was hooked by Jeffrey. He was so thrilled with the lunker that he said he was going to get it mounted and take it back to Virginia so he could show it to his friends.

Dave Woodbury, St. Cloud, was also using a shiner when he caught a 10-pound ''hawg'' Thursday night in Lake Tohopekaliga.

If you are one of those anglers who thinks using live bait is cheating, then perhaps you should try one of the new Lunker Lures.

Reports show that the new lure is especially effective during that first hour in the morning, and if it is overcast you can throw it longer.

Despite the good fishing reports on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Wayne Brock, Kissimmee, and Robinson have gone over to the coast today to fish for trout. Both anglers said they would be tossing top water plugs.

Just a reminder, June 2-9 has been declared National Boating Week. The theme for 1985 is ''Think before you drink -- safe skippers stay sober.''